Streamlined News: March 6, 2012


PHOENIX, Arizona, March 6. SARAH Sjostrom is stealing the spotlight at the British Olympic Trials, posting quick times in special finals designated for foreigners attending the meet to test out the Olympic venue. Yesterday in London, the Swedish teenager went 1:55.23 in the 200 freestyle, making her the fastest in the event this year with a time that would have won the world championship last summer. But, it's two tenths slower than Missy Franklin swam leading off the 800 free relay last summer. Allison Schmitt and Camille Muffat are the only other swimmers to break 1:56 in 2012.

The other big story to come out of London yesterday was the win in the women's backstroke by Gemma Spofforth. The world record holder got to the wall first in 1:00.19 in a tough battle with Georgia Davies and Elizabeth Simmonds. Davies was two hundredths behind Spofforth for the other Olympic spot, while Simmonds, who had been the top-ranked Brit in this event since 2010, settled for third. Spofforth has had an emotional journey to this moment. She had not been swimming well since breaking the world record at the 2009 world championships, even getting sick just before last year's worlds. But now Spofforth will be able to end her career in her home country at the Olympics.

In the men's 100 back, Liam Tancock had no trouble getting his much-expected Olympic spot, winning with a 53.16, the top time in the world, though that could be threatened in a couple of weeks at the French Olympic Trials.
Tonight's finals in London include the women's 200 free, men's 200 fly, and the women's 200 IM. Check back with swimmingworld.com for all results from today's competition in London.

Collegiate divers in the United States are competing this week at zone diving meets to determine who will get to compete at the NCAA championships. The process is rather tricky, but these are the only meets that will be used to determine who goes to the meet to help their team earn crucial points. There are five zones, and zone B got things started last night with slots filled for men's three meter and women's one meter. Go to swimmingworld.com to see our comprehensive look at the qualifying process and to see the top finishers in each zone as the meets take place.

Betsey Armstrong and David Boudia are among the nine semifinalists for the prestigious Sullivan Award, which has been honoring top athletes for more than 80 years. Armstrong was a big part of helping the American women's water polo team win the gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games, which earned the USA a place in the Olympic water polo tournament. Boudia won the silver medal on the 10-meter platform at last summer's world championships, the first medal for an American male in that event since Greg Louganis and Bruce Kimball in 1986. You can go to aausullivan.org to learn more about the nine athletes and how to place your vote.

And finally today we want to wish two more swimmers congratulations on their engagement. According to their Twitter accounts, Jessica Hardy and Dominik Meichtry are engaged. Meichtry popped the question on Saturday, and according to a Twitter post, she said yes. Meichtry is already qualified for the Olympics for Switzerland, while Hardy still has to go through the US Trials in less than four months.

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